Roof-bracket.



G. P. WOLF. ROOF BRACKET. APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 16, 1909.

Patented July-19, 1910.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE P. WOLF, OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA, ASSIG NOR 'IO VERNON C. HASTINGS AND EARL Gr. I-IEWSON, OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA.

ROOF-BRACKET.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE P. VVoLr, a citizen of the United States, residing at South Bend, in the county of St. Joseph and State of Indiana, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in- Roof- Brackets, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to roof brackets for use upon an inclined roof in supporting a scantling or other timber commonly used as a foothold by carpenters and other mechanics.

One object of the invention is to provide a bracket with means for holding same from slipping.

A further object is the construction of a bracket adapted to be more securely held to the roof than other or similar brackets for the same purpose, and, in generah'to produce an exceedingly simple, inexpensive, and eflicient roof bracket.

Vith this and other objects in View, the present invention consists of the construction hereinafter more fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and particularly pointed out in the claims, it being understood that changes may be made in the form, proportion, size and minor details without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention.

In the drawings :Figure 1 is a perspective view of the complete bracket. Fig. 2 is a sectional view of a roof showing the bracket applied thereto. Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing a pair of brackets, and a scantling supported thereby, applied to a roof.

Referring now more particularly to the accompanying drawings, 1 represents a rafter of the usual form, to which the sheeting 2 is secured, and shingles 3 are nailed to the latter in the customary manner.

As is the usual practice in laying shingles, they are placed in layers so as to overlap each other, starting at the bottom of the roof and progressing upwardly, and as the laying progresses it becomes necessary .to pro videa foothold or support for the carpenter where the roof is slanting. To this end I provide a bracket which comprises a plate 4 preferably of sheet metal, which may be readily introduced beneath the butt end of a Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed. September 16, 1909.

Patented July 19, 1910.

Serial No. 518,065.

shingle, as plainly shown in Figs. 2 and 3. The other end of the plate is preferably tapered, and the tapered edges 5 have integral prongs 6 extending downwardly therefrom at an angle to the plate, whereby the sharp end of the prongs will readily enter the shingle beneath the plate, when pressure is brought to bear upon the latter. The sides of the prongs being disposed at an angle corresponding with the taper of the plate, they have a tendency to work to the side when opposed by the grain of the shingle, and as this tendency is opposed by the prongs on the opposite edge working in the opposite direction, the prongs oppose each other, and any variance .in the grain of the shingle will thus tend to materially reduce liability of slipping. Furthermore, the prongs, owing to their triangular shape and their sides being disposed at an angle, results in an increase in their gripping surface proportionately as the same become deeper seated in the shingle.

Attached to the tapered end of the plate l, is a keeper 7, which keeper is of U-shaped formation, one arm 8 of the same being secured to the plate, as by means of rivets 9, or in any other suitable manner. The keeper is disposed with relation to the plate so as to extend beyond the end thereof, the object of which will be presently explained. Said keeper is designed to receive a scantling or bar 10, which may be of any suitable length, and by providing two or more brackets and attaching them to the shingles as described, the scantling or bar will be securely held in position, and provide a secure footing or support for workmen upon a roof.

When the plates 4 are formed, the prongs 6 are formed integral therewith and are afterward bent downwardly to place them in position to engage the shingles, there being preferably four prongs, two adjacent the base of the tapered end and two adjacent the apex thereof and by arranging the prongs in this manner, the two prongs at the same edge of the plate will be'out of alinement with each other.

In practice, the ends of two or more brackets are introduced beneath the butt ends of the shingles and moved upwardly, as shown in Fig. 3, the shingles, under which same are introduced being nailed to the roof,

serve to hold down the plate. Pressure is next directed on the plates, to force the prongs into the shingles beneath the plate, and the scantling or bar 10 is disposed upon the brackets so as to be engaged by the keepers. As the keepers are disposed beyond the ends of the plates, the plates serve as a lever, with the prongs as the fulcrum, and greatly increased pressure is thereby directed upon the prongs, thus materially increasing the gripping efiiciency of the same. This feature is of particular advantage upon a steep roof, Where there is greater liability of slippage and consequent increased difficulty of obtaining a secure grip for the brackets, and forms an important part of the present invention.

The brackets may be released and moved upwardly, as the laying of the shingles progresses, and this operation repeated until the top of the roof has been reached. It is obvious that the brackets are also adapted for use in repairing chimneys and other labor to be performed upon a roof.

It will thus be seen that I have provided a very cheap and efficient form of roof bracket, and one that Will be extremely strong and indestructible.

What is claimed is 2-:

1. A bracket of the class described com prising a plate having depending prongs, and a keeper secured at one end to the plate and extending beyond the prongs.

2. A bracket of the class described comprising a plate having its edges tapered at one end thereof, triangularly formed prongs depending from said tapered edges and the sides thereof disposed at an angle corresponding with the taper of the plate, and a keeper carried by the plate.

3. A bracket of the class described comprising a plate having its edges tapered at one end thereof, prongs depending from said edges the sides of which are disposed at an angle corresponding with the taper of the plate, and a keeper carried by the plate and extending beyond the prongs so that the latter will serve as a fulcrum when Weight is applied to the keeper.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature, in presence of two Witnesses.

GEORGE P. WOLF.

Vitnesses EARL Gr. HEwsoN, VERNON C. IIASTINGS. 

